Touch-sensitive button with two levels

ABSTRACT

A touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds is provided. When the button is depressed to a first depression threshold, the touch sensor can be switched from a low-power, non-sensing state to a sensing state. When the button is depressed to a second depression threshold, the touch sensor can sense the touch context and input can be generated based on the depression and the touch context. In this way, the touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds can facilitate timely switching of the touch sensor to a sensing state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/564,735, filed Dec. 9, 2014 and published on Apr. 2, 2015 as U.S.Patent Publication No. 2015-0091867, which is a Continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/050,103 filed Oct. 9, 2013 and issued onJan. 13, 2015 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,933,905, which is a Continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/312,803, filed on Dec. 6, 2011 andissued on Nov. 12, 2013 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,581,870 the contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This relates generally to touch-sensitive depressible buttons, and moreparticularly, to a touch-sensitive mechanical button with multipledepression thresholds.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Many types of input devices are available for performing operations in acomputing system, such as buttons or keys, mice, trackballs, joysticks,touch sensor panels, touch screens, and the like. Touch screens, inparticular, are becoming increasingly popular because of their ease andversatility of operation as well as their declining price. Touch screenscan include a touch sensor panel, which can be a clear panel with atouch-sensitive surface, and a display device such as a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) that can be positioned partially or fully behind the panelso that the touch-sensitive surface can cover at least a portion of theviewable area of the display device. Touch screens generally allow auser to perform various functions by touching (e.g., physical contact ornear-field proximity) the touch sensor panel using a finger, stylus orother object at a location often dictated by a user interface (UI) beingdisplayed by the display device. In general, touch screens can recognizea touch event and the position of the touch event on the touch sensorpanel, and the computing system can then interpret the touch event inaccordance with the display appearing at the time of the touch event,and thereafter can perform one or more actions based on the touch event.

A touch sensor panel can be coupled with an actuator to form adepressible button. For example, a trackpad can include a touch sensorpanel with a continuous top surface and a portion of the continuous topsurface forming a depressible button. In some cases, the touch sensingfunctionality may only be used to determine the touch context when thebutton is depressed. However, frequently scanning the touch sensor fortouch events when the button is not depressed can be an inefficient useof power, especially in mobile devices running on battery power.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

This relates to a touch-sensitive depressible button with multipledepression thresholds. A touch-sensitive depressible button can generateinput based on a depression of the button or based on a touch eventperformed on a surface of the button. Additionally, the button cangenerate input based on both the depression and the touch event. Forexample, a button might generate a first input when it is depressed by afinger on a left portion of the surface of the button and a second inputwhen it is depressed by a finger on a right portion of the surface ofthe button. In this way, a single depressible button can serve multiplefunctions depending on where it is depressed.

In some embodiments, a touch-sensitive depressible button can onlygenerate input when the button is depressed. Touch events might not beaccepted when the button is not depressed. In such a case, the button'stouch sensor can be kept in a low power, non-sensing state until thebutton is depressed, at which point the touch sensor can be switched toa sensing state to provide a touch context for the depression.Conserving power can be especially important in battery-powered devicessuch as mobile phones. However, the process of switching to a sensingstate might take an amount of time too large to provide an immediatetouch context for the depression of the button.

Accordingly, a touch-sensitive depressible button can have multipledepression thresholds to facilitate timely switching of the touch sensorto a sensing state. The button can be depressed from an initial positionto a first depression threshold and from the first depression thresholdto a second depression threshold. When the button is depressed to thefirst depression threshold, the touch sensor can be switched from alow-power, non-sensing state to a sensing state. When the button isdepressed to the second depression threshold, the touch sensor can sensethe touch context and input can be generated based on the depression andthe touch context. In some embodiments, the distance from the initialposition to the first depression threshold can be so small so as to beimperceptible to a user. Additionally, in some embodiments the distancefrom the initial position to the second depression threshold can belarge enough to be perceived by the user as a complete buttondepression.

In this way, the touch-sensitive depressible button with multipledepression thresholds can facilitate timely switching of the touchsensor to a sensing state. Additionally, a touch sensing process canhave more time to accurately determine the touch context. For example, atouch sensor might switch to a sensing state before the button has beendepressed to the second depression threshold. In such a case, theremaining time before the button is depressed to the second depressionthreshold can be used to begin determining the touch context in advance.Furthermore, the touch sensing process of the depressible button can beinitiated by the user, thereby providing a more immediate touch contextthan with a continual touch sensing process, which can be asynchronousto user contact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button atan initial depression position according to embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button at afirst depression threshold according to embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 1C illustrates an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button at asecond depression threshold according to embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a high-level flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method ofgenerating input from a touch-sensitive depressible button according toembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of an exemplary touch sensor that can beused to detect touch events and determine a touch context on thetouch-sensitive depressible button according to embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button witha double-dome actuator at an initial depression position according toembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4B illustrates an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button witha double-dome actuator at a first depression threshold according toembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4C illustrates an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button witha double-dome actuator at a second depression threshold according toembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button witha self-capacitive actuator at an initial depression position accordingto embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5B illustrates an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button witha self-capacitive actuator at a first depression threshold according toembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5C illustrates an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button witha self-capacitive actuator at a second depression threshold according toembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary computing system that can include atouch sensor panel coupled to an actuator to form a touch-sensitivedepressible button according to embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 7A illustrates an exemplary mobile telephone that can include atouch sensor panel and a display device, the touch sensor panel coupledto an actuator to form a touch-sensitive depressible button according toembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 7B illustrates an exemplary digital media player that can include atouch sensor panel and a display device, the touch sensor panel coupledto an actuator to form a touch-sensitive depressible button according toembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 7C illustrates an exemplary personal computer that can include atouch sensor panel (trackpad) and a display, the touch sensor paneland/or display of the personal computer coupled to an actuator to form atouch-sensitive depressible button according to embodiments of thedisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of embodiments, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which it is shownby way of illustration specific embodiments that can be practiced. It isto be understood that other embodiments can be used and structuralchanges can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosedembodiments.

Various embodiments relate to a touch-sensitive depressible button withmultiple depression thresholds. A touch-sensitive depressible button cangenerate input based on a depression of the button or based on a touchevent performed on a surface of the button. Additionally, the button cangenerate input based on both the depression and the touch event. Forexample, a button might generate a first input when it is depressed by afinger on a left portion of the surface of the button and a second inputwhen it is depressed by a finger on a right portion of the surface ofthe button. In this way, a single depressible button can serve multiplefunctions depending on where it is depressed.

In some embodiments, a touch-sensitive depressible button can onlygenerate input when the button is depressed. Touch events might not beaccepted when the button is not depressed. In such a case, the button'stouch sensor can be kept in a low power, non-sensing state until thebutton is depressed, at which point the touch sensor can be switched toa sensing state to provide a touch context for the depression.Conserving power can be especially important in battery-powered devicessuch as mobile phones. However, the process of switching to a sensingstate might take an amount of time too large to provide an immediatetouch context for the depression of the button.

Accordingly, a touch-sensitive depressible button can have multipledepression thresholds to facilitate timely switching of the touch sensorto a sensing state. The button can be depressed from an initial positionto a first depression threshold and from the first depression thresholdto a second depression threshold. When the button is depressed to thefirst depression threshold, the touch sensor can be switched from alow-power, non-sensing state to a sensing state. When the button isdepressed to the second depression threshold, the touch sensor can sensethe touch context and input can be generated based on the depression andthe touch context. In some embodiments, the distance from the initialposition to the first depression threshold can be so small so as to beimperceptible to a user. Additionally, in some embodiments the distancefrom the initial position to the second depression threshold can belarge enough to be perceived by the user as a complete buttondepression.

In this way, the touch-sensitive depressible button with multipledepression thresholds can facilitate timely switching of the touchsensor to a sensing state. Additionally, a touch sensing process canhave more time to accurately determine the touch context. For example, atouch sensor might switch to a sensing state before the button has beendepressed to the second depression threshold. In such a case, theremaining time before the button is depressed to the second depressionthreshold can be used to begin determining the touch context in advance.Furthermore, the touch sensing process of the depressible button can beinitiated by the user, thereby providing a more immediate touch contextthan with a continual touch sensing process, which can be asynchronousto user contact.

Although embodiments disclosed herein may be described and illustratedherein primarily in terms of mutual capacitance touch sensor panels, itshould be understood that the embodiments are not so limited, but areadditionally applicable to self-capacitance sensor panels, and bothsingle and multi-touch sensor panels. Although embodiments disclosedherein may be described and illustrated herein in terms of touch sensorpanels without a coupled display device, it should be understood thatembodiments are not so limited, but are additionally applicable to touchsensor panels coupled with a display device.

FIGS. 1A-C illustrate an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button100 according to embodiments of the disclosure. The button 100 comprisesa touch sensor 102 coupled to a depressible actuator 104.

FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button 100at an initial depression position according to embodiments of thedisclosure. When the button 100 is at the initial depression position,the touch sensor 102 can be in a low-power, non-sensing state.

FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button 100at a first depression threshold according to embodiments of thedisclosure. A touch object 106, such as a finger or a stylus, candepress the button 100 by exerting force on a top surface of the touchsensor 102, which can cause the actuator 104 to depress or generallychange its state or configuration. When the button 100 reaches the firstdepression threshold, the touch sensor 102 can switch from thelow-power, non-sensing state to a sensing state.

FIG. 1C illustrates an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button 100at a second depression threshold according to embodiments of thedisclosure. Touch object 106 can further depress the button 100 byexerting force on the top surface of the touch sensor 102, furthercausing the actuator 104 to depress or generally change its state orconfiguration. When the button 100 reaches the second depressionthreshold, the touch sensor 102 can determine a touch context of thetouch object 106 based on detection of various touch events. Forexample, the touch sensor 102 can determine the location of the touchobject 106 on the top surface of the touch sensor. Additionally, thetouch sensor 102 can determine a motion of the touch object 106 alongits surface. In some embodiments, the touch context can include at leasta position, a velocity, or a gesture, for example. The touch context canalso include a touchdown time (e.g., a time when a touch object makescontact with the top surface of the touch sensor), or an elapsed timebetween the moment the button 100 reaches the first depression thresholdand the moment the button reaches the second depression threshold. Inother embodiments, the touch context can include the shape of thecontact(s) on the touch sensor and/or an identification of the touchobjects (e.g., an identification of a particular finger or thumb).

The distance from the initial depression position to the firstdepression threshold can, in some embodiments, be so small so as to beimperceptible to a user. Additionally, the first depression thresholdcan be a hair-trigger, wherein even the slightest touch of the topsurface of the touch sensor 102 can cause the button 100 to reach thefirst depression threshold. For example, the hair-trigger can be anydetected depression as compared to a no-touch, no-depressionsteady-state. The distance from the initial depression position to thesecond depression threshold can, in some embodiments, be large enough tobe perceived by the user as a complete button depression.

FIG. 2 is a high-level flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method ofgenerating input from a touch-sensitive depressible button according toembodiments of the disclosure. At block 200, a touch sensor of thebutton can be set to a non-sensing state. In some embodiments, the touchsensor in the non-sensing state can consume no power. Alternatively, thetouch sensor in the non-sensing state can consume a small amount ofpower to enable a shorter wake up time, wherein the wake up time is thetime it takes to switch to a touch sensing state. In some embodiments,the touch sensor in the non-sensing state can wake up occasionally(e.g., once every second) to sense an environmental baseline forcalibration purposes and then immediately thereafter resume thenon-sensing state. In other embodiments, the touch sensor in thenon-sensing state can wake up more frequently or less frequently.

At block 202, it can be determined that the button has been depressed toa first depression threshold. Depression thresholds can be determineddifferently according to various embodiments. As discussed below,depression thresholds can be determined by a double-dome actuator or aself-capacitive actuator, among other embodiments. In some embodiments,upon depression to the first depression threshold, a first depressionthreshold time can be determined. The first depression threshold timecan be used later to determine a touch context.

At block 204, the touch sensor can be switched from the non-sensingstate to a touch sensing state. The touch sensor in the touch sensingstate can, in some embodiments, idly scan to detect touch events oractively scan to detect touch events. In one example, an idle scan ratecan be in the range of 10 Hz to 30 Hz, and an active scan rate can be inthe range of 60 Hz to 125 Hz. Other embodiments may actively or idlyscan at different rates. As discussed above, in some embodiments, thetouch sensor in the non-sensing state may already be powered on.Accordingly, the touch sensor can be switched to the touch sensing statemerely by initiating the idle scanning process or the active scanningprocess.

In some embodiments, the touch sensor in the touch sensing state canscan once to detect touch events. For example, the touch sensor may scanonce to determine a position of any touch objects on the surface of thetouch sensor. In such a case, the touch sensor can be switched to thetouch sensing state merely by initiating a single scan.

At block 206, it can be determined that the button has been depressed toa second depression threshold. Depression thresholds can be determineddifferently according to various embodiments. As discussed below,depression thresholds can be determined by a double-dome actuator or aself-capacitive actuator, among other embodiments. In some embodiments,upon depression to the second depression threshold, a second depressionthreshold time can be determined. The second depression threshold timecan be used later to determine a touch context.

At block 208, the touch context can be determined based on touch eventsdetected during scans of the touch sensor. The touch context can includepositions of any touch objects on the surface of the touch sensor.Additionally, the touch context can include motion of the touch objects,including velocities and gestures. The touch context can also include atouchdown time (e.g., a time when a touch object makes contact with thetop surface of the touch sensor), or an elapsed time between the firstdepression threshold time and the second depression threshold time. Inother embodiments, the touch context can include the shape of thecontact(s) on the touch sensor and/or an identification of the touchobjects (e.g., an identification of a particular finger or thumb).

At block 210, input can be generated based on the touch context and thedetermination that the button has been depressed to a second depressionthreshold. According to some embodiments, generating input can includethe generation of a control signal. Such a control signal can be sent toa connected computing system, causing the computing system to execute acommand associated with the control signal. For example, based on thetouch context, a control signal might be sent to the computing system,causing the computing system to adjust a volume level, initiate anapplication, or move a cursor.

FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of an exemplary touch sensor 300 that canbe used to detect touch events and determine a touch context on thetouch-sensitive depressible button 100 according to embodiments of thedisclosure. Touch sensor 300 can include an array of pixels 305 that canbe formed at the crossing points between rows of drive lines 301 (D0-D3)and columns of sense lines 303 (S0-S4). Each pixel 305 can have anassociated mutual capacitance Csig 311 formed between the crossing drivelines 301 and sense lines 303 when the drive lines are stimulated. Thedrive lines 301 can be stimulated by stimulation signals 307 provided bydrive circuitry (not shown) and can include an alternating current (AC)waveform. The sense lines 303 can transmit touch or sense signals 309indicative of a touch at the panel 300 to sense circuitry (not shown),which can include a sense amplifier for each sense line.

To sense a touch at the touch sensor 300, drive lines 301 can bestimulated by the stimulation signals 307 to capacitively couple withthe crossing sense lines 303, thereby forming a capacitive path forcoupling charge from the drive lines 301 to the sense lines 303. Thecrossing sense lines 303 can output touch signals 309, representing thecoupled charge or current. When a user's finger (or other object)touches the panel 300, the finger can cause the capacitance Csig 311 toreduce by an amount ΔCsig at the touch location. This capacitance changeΔCsig can be caused by charge or current from the stimulated drive line301 being shunted through the touching finger to ground rather thanbeing coupled to the crossing sense line 303 at the touch location. Thetouch signals 309 representative of the capacitance change ΔCsig can betransmitted by the sense lines 303 to the sense circuitry forprocessing. The touch signals 309 can indicate the pixel where the touchoccurred and the amount of touch that occurred at that pixel location.

While the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 includes four drive lines 301 andfive sense lines 303, it should be appreciated that touch sensor 300 caninclude any number of drive lines 301 and any number of sense lines 303to form the desired number and pattern of pixels 305. Additionally,while the drive lines 301 and sense lines 303 are shown in FIG. 3 in acrossing configuration, it should be appreciated that otherconfigurations are also possible to form the desired pixel pattern.While FIG. 3 illustrates mutual capacitance touch sensing, other touchsensing technologies may also be used in conjunction with embodiments ofthe disclosure, such as self-capacitance touch sensing, resistive touchsensing, projection scan touch sensing, and the like. Furthermore, whilevarious embodiments describe a sensed touch, it should be appreciatedthat the touch sensor 300 can also sense a hovering object and generatehover signals therefrom.

FIGS. 4A-C illustrate an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button400 with a double-dome actuator 404 according to embodiments of thedisclosure. The double-dome actuator 404 can include a first deformableelectrode dome 408, a second deformable electrode dome 410, and a firstelectrode 412. The first and second electrode domes can each be coupledto a microcontroller for detecting when the first electrode dome 408contacts the second electrode dome 410 and further for detecting whenthe second electrode dome contacts the first electrode 412.Additionally, the first electrode 412 can be coupled to amicrocontroller.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button 400with a double-dome actuator 404 at an initial depression positionaccording to embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4B illustrates an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button 400with a double-dome actuator 404 at a first depression thresholdaccording to embodiments of the disclosure. The force applied to thetouch sensor 402 can cause the first deformable electrode dome 408 todeform and contact the second deformable electrode dome 410. Contactbetween the first and second electrode domes can indicate that the firstdepression threshold has been reached.

FIG. 4C illustrates an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button 400with a double-dome actuator 404 at a second depression thresholdaccording to embodiments of the disclosure. The force applied to thetouch sensor 402 can cause the first deformable electrode dome 408 tocontact and exert force on the second deformable electrode dome 410.This can cause the second electrode dome 410 to deform and contact thefirst electrode 412. Contact between the second electrode dome 410 andthe first electrode 412 can indicate that the second depressionthreshold has been reached. In some embodiments, an electric potentialapplied to the first and second electrode domes and the first electrode,and/or the electrical resistance of the material comprising the domes,can enable detection circuitry (not shown) to detect contact between thefirst and second domes, or contact between the second dome and the firstelectrode.

According to various embodiments, the first and second depressionthresholds can be determined by the shape and composition of eachdeformable electrode dome. For example, the height difference betweenthe first and second electrode domes can determine the distance from theinitial position to the first depression threshold. Additionally, theheight of the second electrode dome can determine the distance from thefirst depression threshold to the second depression threshold. In someembodiments, the force required to reach each of the first and seconddepression thresholds can be determined by the composition, thicknessand deformation resistance of each of the first and second electrodedomes. For example, a first electrode dome with a low resistance todeformation may require only a small amount of force to reach the firstdepression threshold. In contrast, a second electrode dome with a higherresistance to deformation may require a larger amount of force to reachthe second depression threshold.

FIGS. 5A-C illustrate an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button500 with a self-capacitive actuator 504 according to embodiments of thedisclosure. The self-capacitive actuator 504 comprises a self-capacitivedeformable electrode dome 508, and a first electrode 512. Theself-capacitive deformable electrode dome 508 can be coupled to amicrocontroller for detecting changes in the self-capacitance of theelectrode dome with respect to the first electrode 512 as the domeapproaches the electrode, and further for detecting when the electrodedome contacts the first electrode 512. Additionally, the first electrode512 can be coupled to a microcontroller.

FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button 500with a self-capacitive actuator 504 at an initial depression positionaccording to embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5B illustrates an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button 500with a self-capacitive actuator 504 at a first depression thresholdaccording to embodiments of the disclosure. The self-capacitivedeformable electrode dome 508 can have a self-capacitance to ground thatcan be changed by the proximate presence of the touch object 506. Thechange in capacitance can indicate that the first depression thresholdhas been reached.

FIG. 5C illustrates an exemplary touch-sensitive depressible button 500with a self-capacitive actuator 504 at a second depression thresholdaccording to embodiments of the disclosure. The force applied to thetouch sensor 502 can cause the self-capacitive deformable electrode dome508 to contact the first electrode 512. Contact between the electrodedome 508 and the first electrode 512 can indicate that the seconddepression threshold has been reached.

In some embodiments, alternate structures can be employed to detect thatthe first and second depression thresholds have been reached. Forexample, an accelerometer sensing vibration from a touch object candetect that a first depression threshold has been reached, and a simpledome-switch can detect that a second depression threshold has beenreached. Alternatively, a force sensing resistive sheet can detect thata first depression threshold has been reached, and again a simpledome-switch can detect that a second depression threshold has beenreached. In still further embodiments, multiple force sensing resistivesheets can be utilized for multiple depression thresholds. It shouldalso be understood that although the embodiments disclosed hereindescribe and illustrate only two depression thresholds, more than twodepression thresholds are also contemplated using additional structures.

A touch-sensitive depressible button as described above can generateinput based on a depression of the button or based on a touch event orgesture performed on a surface of the button. Additionally, the buttoncan generate input based on both the depression and the touch event. Forexample, a button might generate a first input when it is depressed by afinger on a left portion of the surface of the button and a second inputwhen it is depressed by a finger on a right portion of the surface ofthe button. In this way, a single depressible button can serve multiplefunctions depending on where it is depressed. In addition, thetouch-sensitive depressible button can detect multiple depressionthresholds and utilize this additional information to perform additionalfunctions, such as switching between various power states or providing az-axis input in addition to x and y axis input.

FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary computing system 600 that can include atouch sensor panel 624 coupled to an actuator to form a touch-sensitivedepressible button as in one or more of the embodiments described above.Computing system 600 can include one or more panel processors 602 andperipherals 604, and panel subsystem 606. Peripherals 604 can include,but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) or other types ofmemory or storage, watchdog timers and the like. Panel subsystem 606 caninclude, but is not limited to, one or more sense channels 608, channelscan logic 610 and driver logic 614. Channel scan logic 610 can accessRAM 612, autonomously read data from the sense channels and providecontrol for the sense channels. In addition, channel scan logic 610 cancontrol driver logic 614 to generate stimulation signals 616 at variousfrequencies and phases that can be selectively applied to drive lines oftouch sensor panel 624. In some embodiments, panel subsystem 606, panelprocessor 602 and peripherals 604 can be integrated into a singleapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Touch sensor panel 624 can include a capacitive sensing medium having aplurality of drive lines and a plurality of sense lines, although othersensing media can also be used. Each intersection of drive and senselines can represent a capacitive sensing node and can be viewed aspicture element (pixel) 626, which can be particularly useful when touchsensor panel 624 is viewed as capturing an “image” of touch. (In otherwords, after panel subsystem 606 has determined whether a touch eventhas been detected at each touch sensor in the touch sensor panel, thepattern of touch sensors in the multi-touch panel at which a touch eventoccurred can be viewed as an “image” of touch (e.g. a pattern of fingerstouching the panel).) Each sense line of touch sensor panel 624 candrive sense channel 608 (also referred to herein as an event detectionand demodulation circuit) in panel subsystem 606.

Computing system 600 can also include host processor 628 for receivingoutputs from panel processor 602 and performing actions based on theoutputs that can include, but are not limited to, moving an object suchas a cursor or pointer, scrolling or panning, adjusting controlsettings, opening a file or document, viewing a menu, making aselection, executing instructions, operating a peripheral device coupledto the host device, answering a telephone call, placing a telephonecall, terminating a telephone call, changing the volume or audiosettings, storing information related to telephone communications suchas addresses, frequently dialed numbers, received calls, missed calls,logging onto a computer or a computer network, permitting authorizedindividuals access to restricted areas of the computer or computernetwork, loading a user profile associated with a user's preferredarrangement of the computer desktop, permitting access to web content,launching a particular program, encrypting or decoding a message, and/orthe like. Host processor 628 can also perform additional functions thatmay not be related to panel processing, and can be coupled to programstorage 632 and display device 630 such as an LCD display for providinga UI to a user of the device. Display device 630 together with touchsensor panel 624, when located partially or entirely under the touchsensor panel, can form touch screen 618. Touch screen 618 coupled to anactuator can form a touch-sensitive depressible button as in one or moreof the embodiments described above.

Note that one or more of the functions described above, can beperformed, for example, by firmware stored in memory (e.g., one of theperipherals) and executed by the panel processor 602, or stored in theprogram storage 632 and executed by the host processor 628. The firmwarecan also be stored and/or transported within any computer readablestorage medium for use by or in connection with an instruction executionsystem, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system,processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch theinstructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or deviceand execute the instructions. In the context of this document, a“computer readable storage medium” can be any medium that can contain orstore the program for use by or in connection with the instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device. The computer readable storagemedium can include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic,optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatusor device, a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a random accessmemory (RAM) (magnetic), a read-only memory (ROM) (magnetic), anerasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) (magnetic), a portableoptical disc such a CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-R, or DVD-RW, or flashmemory such as compact flash cards, secured digital cards, USB memorydevices, memory sticks, and the like.

The firmware can also be propagated within any transport medium for useby or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, orother system that can fetch the instructions from the instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. Inthe context of this document, a “transport medium” can be any mediumthat can communicate, propagate or transport the program for use by orin connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice. The transport readable medium can include, but is not limitedto, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic or infrared wiredor wireless propagation medium.

FIG. 7A illustrates exemplary mobile telephone 736 that can includetouch sensor panel 724 and display device 730, the touch sensor panelcoupled to an actuator to form a touch-sensitive depressible button asin one or more of the embodiments described above.

FIG. 7B illustrates exemplary digital media player 740 that can includetouch sensor panel 724 and display device 730, the touch sensor panelcoupled to an actuator to form a touch-sensitive depressible button asin one or more of the embodiments described above.

FIG. 7C illustrates exemplary personal computer 744 that can includetouch sensor panel (trackpad) 724 and display 730, the touch sensorpanel and/or display of the personal computer (in embodiments where thedisplay is part of a touch screen) coupled to an actuator to form atouch-sensitive depressible button as in one or more of the embodimentsdescribed above.

Although the disclosed embodiments have been fully described withreference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that variouschanges and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in theart. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as beingincluded within the scope of the disclosed embodiments as defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A touch sensitive button, comprising: a touchsensor array for detecting input events; and an actuator coupled withthe touch sensor array; wherein the touch sensor array is configurableto be placed in a low-power state when no touch of the button isdetected by the actuator; and wherein the touch sensor array isconfigurable to switch from the low-power state to an active scan statewhen a touch of the button is detected by the actuator.
 2. The touchsensitive button of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises anelectrode, the electrode configured for changing at least one parameterwhen an object touches the button.
 3. The touch sensitive button ofclaim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a self-capacitive actuatorconfigured for changing its self-capacitance to ground when an objecttouches the button.
 4. The touch sensitive button of claim 1, furthercomprising a dome switch for detecting a threshold amount of force beingapplied to the button.
 5. The touch sensitive button of claim 1, furthercomprising a processor communicatively coupled to the touch sensor arrayand the actuator, the processor capable of scanning the touch sensorarray to detect one or more touches of one or more objects when thetouch sensor array is switched to the active scan state.
 6. The touchsensitive button of claim 5, the processor further capable of performinga series of scans of the touch sensor array to detect one or morepositions of the one or more touches.
 7. The touch sensitive button ofclaim 5, the processor further capable of detecting a shape of the oneor more touches.
 8. The touch sensitive button of claim 5, the processorfurther capable of performing an identification of the one or moreobjects.
 9. The touch sensitive button of claim 1 incorporated within acomputing system.
 10. A method for generating input from a touchsensitive button, comprising: placing a touch sensor array in alow-power state when no touch of the button is detected by an actuator;switching the touch sensor array from the low-power state to an activescan state when a touch of the button is detected by the actuator; anddetecting input events at the touch sensor array when the touch sensorarray is switched to the active scan state.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein the actuator comprises an electrode, the method furthercomprising changing at least one parameter of the electrode anddetecting the change in the parameter when an object touches the button.12. The method of claim 10, wherein the actuator comprises aself-capacitive actuator, the method further comprising changing theself-capacitance to ground of the actuator and detecting the change inself-capacitance when an object touches the button.
 13. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising detecting a threshold amount of force beingapplied to the button and initiating an operation when the thresholdamount of force is detected.
 14. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising scanning the touch sensor array to detect one or more touchesof one or more objects when the touch sensor array is switched to theactive scan state.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprisingperforming a series of scans of the touch sensor array to detect one ormore positions of the one or more touches when the touch sensor array isswitched to the active scan state.
 16. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising detecting a shape of the one or more touches.
 17. The methodof claim 14, further comprising performing an identification of the oneor more objects.